Hanuman Jayanti (23rd April 2024)

Virtues and unique characteristics of Bhaktashiromani (The supreme devotee) Sankatmochan (Reliever from troubles) Hanuman ji

One should learn the art of devotion from none other than Hanuman ji. His supreme devotion is unparalleled. Many devotees could have the darshan of Seeta and Shriram in the heart of Hanuman ji since He was an ardent devotee of Shriram. This article presents the Divine virtues and unique characteristics of Hanuman ji.

1. Hanuman ji and other Deities

A. Superior Deity : Hanuman ji is one of the superior Deities such as Deity Shiva, Shri Vishnu and Shri Ganapati.

B. The head of Hanumanloka : Hanumanloka (Abode of Hanuman ji) lies near Shriramloka (Abode of Shriram). Shriramloka is close to Shri Vishnuloka (Abode of Shri Vishnu) in the Universe. Hanuman ji is the head of Hanumanloka, a higher region inhabited by the devotees of Hanuman ji.

C. Hanuman ji shares a special bond with the Panchayatan Deities (A group of five Deities, where one of them is the Principal Deity)

C1. Shri Vishnu : Hanuman ji is the supreme devotee of Shriram.

C2. Deity Shiva : Hanuman ji is a partial Incarnation of Deity Shiva and is the 11th Rudra. (Hanuman ji is considered to be the Incarnation of Deity Rudra, one of the many forms of Deity Shiva.)

C3. Goddesses : Hanuman ji worships Goddesses Lakshmi as well as Parvati. He is the only one who succeeded in locating Seeta when She was kidnapped by Ravan. Goddess Saraswati also blessed Hanuman ji, and as a result, He has command over music and grammar.

C4. Shri Ganapati : Deity Shiva’s son – Shri Ganapati, and Hanuman ji are very dear to Deity Shiva. Both have a red complexion. Both like sindur (Red pigment made from powdered red lead). Just as the leaves of Shami (Coral) and Mandar (Mesquite) attract and absorb the Ganesh Principle abundantly, the Rui plant (Giant Milkweed) attracts and absorbs the Hanuman Principle to a higher extent. Tuesday and Mars planet are closely related to the Hanuman Principle and the colour red. Shri Ganapati and Hanuman ji are considered the eliminators of all kinds of perils; they represent supreme auspiciousness.

C5. Surya (The Sun Deity) : Surya is the Guru (Spiritual master) of Hanuman ji. During His childhood, Hanuman ji had spent some time in the Suryaloka (Abode of Sun Deity), where He learnt about the Vedas (The most sacred of Hindu Scriptures, revealed directly by God), Vedangas (The six auxiliary disciplines – Siksha, Chhanda, Vyakarana, Nirukta, Jyotisha and Kalpa), Shastras (Scriptures based on science), Vidyas (14 Knowledge-forms), and Kalas (64 Art-forms) in addition to the knowledge about one’s true self. Intellectually, Hanuman ji was as sharp as Deity Brihaspati, and this made Him the most beloved disciple of Surya. Surya imparted knowledge about weapons as part of training related to warfare to Him.

D. Hanuman ji – an integral part of Rampanchayatan : When Shriram, Seeta, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan and Hanuman ji are together, they form the Rampanchayatan. Followers of the Vaishnav sect worship Rampanchayatan as part of their spiritual practice.

E. Hanuman ji – symbol of unity among the Shaiva and Vaishnav sects : The Shaiva and Vaishnav sects are among the most prominent sects in India. Both are superior in their own ways. However, due to differences of opinion amongst their followers, they were at loggerheads with each other. Followers of both the sects belittled and even despised the followers of the other sect.

Shri Vishnu and Deity Shiva are ardent devotees of each other. Deity Shiva chants the Name of Shriram while Shriram worships Deity Shiva. Shri Vishnu is the supreme Shaiva, while Deity Shiva is the supreme Vaishnav. Hence, Hanuman ji, who embodies Deity Shiva’s Principle to a certain extent, is an ardent devotee of Shriram. Despite their differences in opinion, followers of both the sects revere Hanuman ji. Hanuman ji is the only Deity who brings the followers of Shaiva and Vaishnav sects together. Hence, devotees perceive Hanuman ji as a symbol of unity.

F. Surya and Hanuman ji – the perfect example of the Guru-disciple relationship between Hari and Har : Every Incarnation needs a Guru. Incarnations of Shri Vishnu gained supreme knowledge from Shiva-form Sages, while partial Incarnations of Deity Shiva gained supreme knowledge from Vishnu-form Sages and Saints. For example, Jagadguru Shankaracharya was the disciple of Shri Govindacharya (Govinda Bhagavatpada). Shrikrushna was the disciple of Sage Sandipani, who was an ardent devotee of Deity Shiva. Bhagawan Parashuram was the disciple of Deity Shiva and Deity Datta. Among different radiances, Surya’s (Sun’s) radiance is supreme. Surya is a reflection of Shri Vishnu. Shrikrushna tells Arjun in Geeta – “Amongst luminous objects, I am Surya”. Hence, Surya is reverently called Suryanarayana. Hanuman ji visited Suryaloka to obtain the supreme knowledge and knowledge about self-realisation.

2. Spiritual characteristics

A. 11^th Rudra : Deity Shiva had incarnated in the form of Hanuman ji in Tretayug to participate in the incarnate mission of Shriram and help accomplish His objectives.

B. One among the Saptachiranjivees (Seven immortal and Divine beings) : Ashwatthama, King Bali, Sage Vyas, Hanuman ji, Vibhishana, Kripacharya, and Shri Parashuram are the Saptachiranjivees.

C. Mission related to Panchamahabhuta (The five Cosmic Principles – Pruthvi [Earth], Apa [Water], Tej [Fire], Vayu [Air] and Akash [Ether])

C1. Pavansuta Hanuman : Vayutattva is predominant in Hanuman ji. He is also known as Pavansuta (The son of Air) since Vayudev (Deity of Vayu [Air]) delivered the fractional element of Deity Shiva’s Tej (Radiance) to Goddess Anjani (Mother of Hanuman). He can fly freely and quickly, roam around while being airborne due to the blessings of Vayudev. The mission of Hanuman ji is related to Vayutattva (Absolute Air Principle). In Sanskrut, Marut means Vayu. Since Hanuman ji closely resembles Vayutattva, He is also called Maruti.

C2. Protection from harm caused by the Sun and fire because of complete control over Tejtattva (Absolute Fire Principle) : Vayutattva is subtler and more powerful than Tejtattva. Hence, Hanuman ji has control over Tejtattva since He carries out His mission with the help of Vayutattva. Therefore, Hanuman ji is always shielded from any harm from Sun or fire. During His childhood, Hanumanji had once tried to swallow the Sun, as He mistook it for a ripe and sweet red fruit. Even when His tail was set on fire by Ravan, Hanuman ji was not harmed. Instead, He set the whole of Lanka on fire with His lit tail. This proves that Hanuman ji has control over Tejtattva.

D. Hanuman ji, the supreme devotee of Shriram, performs spiritual practice incessantly like Deity Shiva : Hanuman ji performs spiritual practice round the clock like Deity Shiva. He chants the Name of Shriram continuously even during a war or while asleep. In addition, when He’s awake, as soon as the task at hand gets completed, He meditates on Shriram. Hanuman ji is the only devotee of Shriram who chants the Name of Shriram continuously.

E. Epitome of Dasyabhakti (Devotion unto God as a servitor) : Bhaktiyoga has nine types of devotion – shravan (to listen), kirtan (to pray), smarana (to remember), pada-sevan (to serve the feet), archan (to worship), vandan (to pay obeisance), dasya (to serve the master) and sakhyatva (to build friendship). Hanuman ji epitomises Dasyabhakti.

F. Conqueror of times and kama (Materialistic desire or sexual desire) : Hanuman ji is one of the Saptachiranjivees, and He will survive until the day of Deity Brahma is over (4.32 billion years). Hence, Hanuman ji rules over the kal (Times). Hanuman ji is a lifelong celibate and embodies the virtue of chastity. He has conquered kama, which is the toughest of the six foes of the embodied soul.

G. Strict follower of Sanyasashram (The last among the four stages of life, namely, the stage of a renunciant) : Despite a very long lifespan (till the end of times), Hanuman ji never falls for worldly temptations, but remains aloof from all distractions and leads a secluded life. He is a vowed celibate and strictly follows Sanyasashram. He is a completely detached spiritual being like Deity Shiva.

F. Hanuman ji – a benefactor of Dharma and Moksha : Hanuman ji strictly follows the Dharma of a servitor while being engaged in Dasyabhakti. He is free from the bondage of life and death and has already attained Moksha (Final Liberation). Since He is the benefactor of Dharma (Righteousness) and Moksha, His devotees get empowered with Dharmashakti (The Divine Energy of Dharma) by worshipping Him; if they don’t stray from the path of spiritual practice, they attain Moksha as well.

3. Various virtues

A. Jitendriya (One who has conquered His senses) : According to legend, Deity Shiva opened His third eye to incinerate Kamadev – the God of lust. Hanuman ji is a partial Incarnation of Deity Shiva, implying that like Shiva He has conquered the six foes (including lust). Hanuman ji possesses the power to control all the senses, and hence, is glorified as Jitendriya.

B. Vajrang (Vajra+ang) Bajrang Bali : Bajrang Bali’s (one of Hanuman’s Names) ang (Body) is as hard as Vajra (Divine weapon of Indra, made from Sage Dadhichi’s bones). Therefore, even Divine weapons hurled by the enemy cannot penetrate His body. In the Tretayug, during the Ramayan war, Ravan’s army had released Divine weapons on Shriram’s Vanar sena; and in the Dwaparyug, during the Mahabharat war, Kouravs had targeted Pandavs with Divine weapons. In both the instances, courtesy the grace of Vajrang Hanuman, the weapons failed to have any impact. In these wars, despite being hit by countless weapons by the enemy, Vajrang Hanuman was unharmed.

C. Exceptionally courageous and strong : Hanuman ji assumed a miniature form while on His mission to search Seeta. He entered the city of Lanka in this form. He was stopped at the gate by the demoness Lankini, who was then in-charge of protecting Lanka. Hanuman ji was so strong that He assumed a gigantic form in an instant and hit Lankini on the head with His fist. The lone blow ended Lankini’s plight and she surrendered unto Hanuman.

D. Skilled warrior and master of Divine weapons : Hanuman ji assumed a Veer-form during the fight with the demons Surasa, Akshakumar, Jambumali, Devantak, Narantak, Trishira, Ahiravan, Mahiravan, Mayasur, etc. and killed them. He was knowledgeable in the use of Divine weapons.

E. Bestowed with leadership skills : Hanuman ji’s leadership skills were revered on many occasions. Mentioned ahead are two such examples.

F. Politician and diplomat Hanuman

F1. Sugreeva’s astute and righteous Mahamantri : Hanuman ji was the Mahamantri of Sugreeva – the king of Kishkindha. Sugreeva made it a point to seek the advice of Jambuvant and Hanuman ji to run the Government properly. As the Mahamantri, Hanuman ji had won the king’s heart by maintaining a harmonious relationship with all his ministers. He had guided Sugreeva on how a king should abide by his individual duties and Rajadharma (Duties as king) to affect a Dharma-based administration.

F2. Acting as Prabhu Shriram’s emissary : When Hanuman ji reached Lanka in search of Seeta, Indrajit caught Hanuman ji and brought Him before Ravan, bound in the Brahmastra. During the conversation with Ravan, Hanuman ji not only fulfilled His role as a captive but also as an emissary of Prabhu Shriram.

Hanuman ji sang the glories of Prabhu Shriram, and on behalf of Prabhu Shriram, ordered Ravan to free Seeta. Hanuman ji then taught how to demoralize the enemy and persuade them to surrender. While playing the role of an emissary, Hanuman ji made good use of politics and diplomacy. This gives us an insight into Hanuman ji’s ingenuity.

(Reference : Sanatan’s Text – ‘Shrivishnu, Shriram and Shrikrushna’)

Deity Shiva incarnated in the form of Hanuman ji to help in the incarnate mission of Shriram and accomplish His objectives !